Alison profile picture

Alison

Pay attention to how people you know treat others in their lives-- it is fair warning of exactly how

About Me


Hi......How are you???
..
I think the ever-introspective Austin singer/songwriter turned Nashvillian Blu Sanders says it best (on his site www.blu.net): "...i have a big mouth. i whine a lot. i have strong opinions. i send a lot of email. and then i forget about it. and i never do. finish what i start. and that's my problem. somewhere there's a balance between starting and finishing. i'm way off balance." -Blu Sanders
....Yeah, I think I know what he means.
First off, I have a tendency to talk a lot. Or write a lot. There-- you've been warned.
Second, I use myspace for keeping up with my actual real living breathing friends. People I have actually met, in the flesh! ...And a few amazing bands/musicians, which I either know members of, feel are not well enough known, or are underappreciated and therefore am compelled to share with the music-appreciating world at large. Go ahead--click on 'em...great stuff!
Third, as I'm sure you have quickly deduced from the time you have already spent on this page, yes, I am a lesbian. A happy, relatively well-adjusted lesbian. I do apologize for this unceremonious disclosure to any friends or family stumbling across this page who were not already aware, but I trust any friends or family worth keeping around already know me for me, & have the basic strength of character to not really dwell too much on this detail of mine. While it sure does negatively impact hugely important financial, medical, and personal security elements of my life that straight folks get to take for granted-- and may not even realize is happening to us who aren't straight-- it really is between me & God... so... moving on... :)
Fourth, I feel compelled to tell you that I really, really loved my 5 years at Texas A&M! WHOOP!!!
I know, I know, Im not the typical Aggie... but if we make eye contact, I say "Howdy"! I know better than to walk on the grass. I say a special prayer on April 21st.
I've been to cut, stack, & push (with Moses Hall--God help us)...random mugged at midnite (that's a good thing, not battery), walked with elephants, had my pic taken with sweet Miss Reveille, M'am.
During those years 5 at A&M I had a wonderful boyfriend, Brad, who was the absolute best friend and sidekick to share the Aggie experience with... I will forever treasure our 5 years of wonderful memories. We were crazy.
...And we loved every minute of it. And each other. And he was pretty damn hot, if I do say so myself.
It is apparently rare to have had such a healthy introduction into love and life. OK... so all the time at Duddley's, Fitzwilly's, Boom Boom's house, and 909 Welsh St... maybe not so healthy... but seriously-- your early experiences color who you are for the rest of time, and I couldn't have had it better. Needless to say, we eventually parted ways after our lives took.... well... "different paths" (there was a whole lot of growing up & figuring things out between 18 & 23 alright), but Brad was and is a very special person who I love dearly, & who is thankfully still in my life.
Ahhhhh... Aggieland... Northgate... I spent good times at Fitzwilly's & Duddley's... unfortunate time at the "Dry Heave"... and even more unfortune time afterwards in Bottlecap Alley-- Aggies will know why. Drank my weight in Shiner from $2 chuggers at Duddley's, not to mention dunked my ring in it on the back porch. No fashion commentary, please. It was 1994... what...?
And, I went to class...most of the time. Aggie Word. Ahhhhh, those were the days! WHOOP!!!!!!! Yes, I know if you aren't an Aggie it all seems ridicoulous-- Here's the thing-- remember learning about the "willful suspension of disbelief" back in highschool English? ....So that stories which were technically absurd or impossible made sense & were enjoyable? Same thing. We Aggies all just agree to be on this little island of friendliness, tradition, honor, and this burning desire to BEAT THE HELL OUTTA t.u. for 4 or 5 years, and then to carry it with us forevermore when dealing with other Aggies. It was/is a nice reality break from the rest of the mean ol' outside adult world!!!!! And, every once in awhile...like this year...we actually win that ballgame!! Take THAT, you arrogant "national champions!" How's it feel to get spanked by an unranked team, which you make fun of, on your own home field? Love it...
OK, now back to me-- I already mentioned how I love Austin. My new place & neighbors are swell, but I am sad that I have to live in Ft. Worth for the next 3 years for school. However, I guess this ensures that I will be staying home & studying like a good little academic. I have a slight willpower problem when left to my own devices in a place as fun as Austin. I mean come on-- this town invented a holiday just for an excuse to throw a huge debaucherous all day psychedelic indulgence party in honor of a kids cartoon character...
...not that *I* indulge, of course... but I will sit all day on a blanket wearing a velvet tiger-striped cowboy hat and pink glitter sunglasses while banging away with the drum circle until the undersides of my fingers are visibly bruised. Never fails.
Yep, I love Austin, and Eeyore's Birthday Party. If you've been, you understand. If you haven't, CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO!!!:
And check: www.eeyores.sexton.com for full details!!!
Personal stuff...Until the day I can make the love of my life my wife like every random straight person can, I have an enigmatic dynamo of a PARTNER, Nicole, who I adore when she isnt driving me crazy with her...well, lets call it "boundless energy". Some call it ADD, bipolar disorder...whatever. OK, so I may want to shake her senseless sometimes, but for whatever reason, I even adore her then too. ( 8 years as of June '07....wow! That's amazing...)
She happens to be a badass Texas Rollergirl, by the way. Be nice to me or I'll sic Tomcat & the Hotrod Honeys on you, ya hear? (Check them out at www.txrollergirls.com) That's her in action... in the middle.
My mom is such a good sport--
...can I tell you how out of her element she is in this picture? She is great, but being a proper Southern Belle just feels that rollerderby is SOOOOOOOO "unladylike". I had to explain that she did not have to worry-- this was not exactly going to be taken as an insult by any Texas Rollergirl.
My mom & grandmother are truly amazing in their own rights though...they just live in a very different world.
West Texas, the middle of nowhere...ranch & oil country... a small, close-knit community where everybody knows everybody, & all of their business. So different, dry, big, open, ... different, but absolutely beautiful in small doses. The biggest thing I notice (besides the depressing roadside proliferation of suicidal deer, skunks & racoons) -- is that we city people don't realize what a real natural night sky looks like. Vast, & breathtaking, black velvet with a million stars...
I also am lucky to have a great eclectic circle of friends who really make life sooooo much more fun & tolerable...
Seriously, I dont know how Im going to survive this 3 year "deployment" to Ft. Worth.....
However, I really love my new friends here, & the $.50 Highlife Draft at the neighborhood gay bar-- which, by the way, makes 'Bout Time look like Oilcan Harry's in terms of clientele & ambiance... I now know where drag queens perform after they hit 50. Nice to know there is somewhere for everyone...seriously.
Another major blessing is my amazing dog Draven, the most awesome Dark Chocolate Weimaraner on the planet...(yeah, I know they arent supposed to be that color-- he's SPECIAL, dammit!)
My chocolate dazzle-dog has gotten me thru hell before, and is keeping me sane thru this new transitional life-phase. So far...
Without Nicole by my side at the moment, I seriously dont think I could be making it without him. Thanks, Mr. Wiggles! Just keep holding down the sofa, & we'll be allright. How do I arrange for this dog to live forever???
I am also a SHAMELESS karaoke junkie. No, really. I will sing "Carry on my Wayward Son" stone cold sober. Try me. Nothing goes better together than good friends, beer, and karaoke. Even better-- Live band karaoke! "The Karaoke Apacolypse", to be specific.No, really, I meant shameless. Unfortunately I have had to scale back on that, however, until I conquer-- I mean survive this law school thing. Which, btw, has really cut into my social life, across the board!!
And another thing-- I am a huge horseperson. I desperately miss being involved with horses. Grew up on a horse... was working cattle before I could ride a bike...(OK, so really I was just following the real cowboys around & annoying them way back then...) Rode all my life until, ironically enough, I moved from the big city out to Texas A&M. I have been in perpetual equine withdrawl ever since.
Anybody reading this, in Ft. Worth, who has an extra horse laying around that needs some work, feel free to mention it, OK? That'd be great.....
OK-- random tangent-- This celebrity look-alike page is fun...but really... the only celebrity I am ever told--usually by a drunk person-- that I resemble is Blossom. Or Marilyn Manson. Lovely. I guess, then, that this is an improvement.
http://www.myheritage.com
Nicole & I also shamelessly promote the artwork of the local lovely & talented Kathy Womack (www.kwomack.com) , gallery on 5th St. in Austin. Here's one of her "Women & Wine" paintings: ...and our great friend Clay Brom, metal sculptor (www.clay-brom.com) Here's some of his cool industrial-strength artwork... ... -- You might recognize his stuff from the various Trudy's locations, local salons, etc. His work really kicks ass... Check out the bed Clay made for us... & feel free to add his gallery as a friend!
Were I independantly wealthy I would be doing so much more for fun, as really I am an outdoorsey soul -- a camping, greenbelt, beach and river kind of girl--but not exactly the "sporty" type--No hardcore hiking, biking or climbing for me. No, I prefer a peaceful trailride, laying around with a margarita on the beach or tubing/kayaking down the lazy river, or a mellow greenbelt hike with Nicole to anything that involves whitewater or, well, let's be honest-- exertion...
In my opinion, the great outdoors is for relaxing--not facing down death. However, (note to self...) maybe I should lay off the Margaritas until AFTER I PACK THE TENT for the trip.
Who needs poles.....right?! I think Im better off when we go camping in our backyard. It is nice to have indoor plumbing just yards away. I know what you're thinking-- but look-- the neighbors raise fighting cocks, and have 4 boats in their front yard so nobody on our block notices the girls with the backyard campfire.
Well folks, there ya have it. Other than that just send all of your love & strength our way-- Nicole & I are embarking on a challenging quest for personal fulfillment & development, and it sure isn't coming without sacrifice. While I will be off buried in law school for the next 3 years, she is taking this chance of a lifetime, and living in tropical Sayulita, Mexico to live w/in view of the ocean, and do massage on the beach... We know who is getting the more enjoyable end of this quest, yes? Being apart though is not something we are excited about, to say the least. Wish us luck.....
OK, that's all I have the patience for at the moment... if inspiration strikes-- be afraid -- Ill add more.
,

My Interests

Austin....
Music...couldn't pick "a" profile song...so here are some of my faves... feel free to scroll through & play whatever you want.

Some of the amazing people & dogs in my truly blessed life...


All things legal, until Dec. 2010... wow. That is hard to take...Im in Ft. Worth until 2010?!?!?!
I mentioned Austin, right? ...and all her weirdness.
...God bless Leslie...
Love my sassy rollergirl...
Traveling with my baby...
Living life to the fullest...
Being festive...
And theme parties. Austin has some pretty impressive theme parties. Any excuse to play dress-up & cover myself in body glitter, actually. Austin's Pimp n Ho party, Carnaval Brasiliero, Eeyore's birthday, Marleyfest, Splash (both first and last)....all at the top of my list of aforementioned Austin theme parties!

Halloween is much fun too...
I was the lost Spice Girl..."Lipstick Lesbian Spice". Laura was...? ...One of "The Sharelles" I believe... No, I do not know why....
"Easy Rider"... OK, remember the part where they go to Bourbon St. & pick up the hooker, then go trip acid in the cemetery? ...that was our theme... and guess who got elected to be the hooker....? Sometime you've gotta take one for the team.

Clearly, me as a New Orleans hooker and Nicole in Dennis Hopper drag is a reeeeeeeally scary prospect!!! Ahhhh well, if you can't laugh at yourself, it really undermines your right to laugh at others, now doesn't it?
Now...This was the best Halloween costume, ever...I present to you, "The Living Nativity"... There was actually a larger group, but a few of the Wise Guys kept running off to the keg. I cannot tell you how many times Laura lost the Baby Jesus that night. Hmm. Maybe Britney isn't such a bad mom after all....

On a completely un-intellectual level, I'm interested in good eatin' & drinkin' with good friends...

...and my trusty sidekick, Draven...

My beautiful sister, Bridget...And the best friends a girl could ask for...
Dawn & Kris at the Chocobanana in Sayulita...
Good times at Lake Travis...
The last Sister 7 show at La Zona Rosa...

and then, there's US...A bottle of wine and a camera later...
and us looking somewhat respectable...
Occasionally, my beautiful Nicole is even a little girly!!!
I just like dressing up, in general....

Back to "Interests" ...Good food. Good wine. Good times, with good friends. Especially when combined with outdoorsey stuff--the ocean, beach, river, lake, and time in the sunshine.

...Or in a karaoke bar. Or a hot tub... Yeah, I know... Im well-rounded, eh?

Music:

Wow. Impossible to give the full list. Mostly local or at least underground-ish non-top 40 artists... especially Patrice Pike/ Sister 7/ Little Sister. Watch this for the general idea...
Pretty much anything by Tina Schleske, BHT&M, Sade, Aimee Mann, Dido, Beth Orton, Susan Tedeschi, or The Cowboy Junkies. Harder stuff like Tool. Harder to classify stuff like Radiohead. Lots of ambient & downtempo trip-hop fodder such as Portishead, Hooverphonic, Mazzy Star, etc.
And then of course the old classic industrial 80's. And "Texas" music, like Toni Price, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Willie, etc. I have a folksey singer-songwriter side, too. Besides Patrice... Ani Difranco, Patty Griffin, Jeff Buckley, Ana Egge, Amy Cook & Blu Sanders all rule.
I will confess, I also have my list of ultra-commercially successful faves, like Journey. Queensryche. Billy Joel. Peter Gabriel. Fleetwood Mac. And worse... on the right day, I even like some mindless bubblegum pop like Kelly Clarkson, Britney, Christina, Avril, and Ashlee Simpson. Look-- it is fun to sing at Karaoke, OK? Cut me some slack here. ...So I guess I have no type. I'm musically schizophrenic. There. I said it.
In general, I'm a sucker for really powerful vocals, writing, guitar work-- Amy Lee from Evanescence is pretty vocally amazing... I'm thinking she is this new young goth generation's Sarah McLachlan... I just dig musical talent in general, I guess, LOL.

Movies:

I am quite predictable as far as movies go.... I like 'em either really steamy... (usually with dark and/or vampiric undertones), really powerfully/meaningfully/life-changingly deep, or just really funny. However, not as in revolving around bodily functions. Exhibit A, "Dumb & Dumber". I completely miss why that is funny.